How hard to remove struts/springs at home?

**5abivt** · 05-07-2009, 04:55 PM

When my brother had a new 97 ss back in the day I remember his friend swapping lowering springs for him in his driveway.

How hard is this to do? any special parts or tools? if I remember right they took the strut to a shoppe to have the spring compressed etc but the rest of the work they did themselves.

**0rion** · 05-07-2009, 06:16 PM

pretty easy. You can buy a spring compressor pretty cheap and wouldn't have to take it anywhere. Just be careful messing with that spring and make sure your compressors are on there good.
Granted, this guy is an idiot but this will give you an idea of the force behind a compressed spring. It'll kill you if it hits you.

**5abivt** · 05-07-2009, 11:44 PM

After watching that video I think I'll prefer someone else doing it !! So remove top bolts of strut in engine compartment, remove 2 lower bolts holding the base to the lower control arm, then does the upper control arm ball joint need to come off or will the strut slide out if the car is raised?

**ls1camino** · 05-08-2009, 03:20 AM

http://centralfloridastreetcars.com/...eplacement.htm

**5abivt** · 05-15-2009, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the link ! i have a few questions. Does the brake master cylinder need to be removed? If so do i have to bleed everything all over again? The only tools I need is a balljoint puller then? Also int he last 2 pics I can see the upper control arm missing.. where and why did it go?

**JoshieDoom** · 05-16-2009, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by 5abivt

Thanks for the link ! i have a few questions. Does the brake master cylinder need to be removed? If so do i have to bleed everything all over again? The only tools I need is a balljoint puller then? Also int he last 2 pics I can see the upper control arm missing.. where and why did it go?

You can remove it and keep the brake lines attached. No it doesnt have to be bleed if you do not open the system. All you do is remove it from the booster.

**mrr23** · 05-16-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by 5abivt

Thanks for the link ! i have a few questions. Does the brake master cylinder need to be removed? If so do i have to bleed everything all over again? The only tools I need is a balljoint puller then? Also int he last 2 pics I can see the upper control arm missing.. where and why did it go?

the pictures don't show it, but all i did was unbolt the master cylinder from the brake booster. left the lines attached. no bleeding necessary. you must remove the master cylinder to get access to the torx bolt under it. really don't need a ball joint seperator. i just hit the upper control arm with a big hammer until the ball joint stud seperated from the spindle. this way, the boot doesn't get torn.

the upper control arm and bracket sits on top of the shock mount. once you remove the shock, it comes out with it and you'll see it just lifts off the mount.